American Idol Top 3 Performance Night Recap: No Place Like Hometown Visits [Updated]

Since 2002, American Idol has maintained key sponsorships with Coca-Cola, Ford and AT&T, and that’s all good — seeing how it ensures the show’s weekly themes aren’t always variations on “Gregorian Chants” and/or “Tunes That Have Entered the Public Domain.” Still, after yet another gut-wrenching Hometown Visits episode featuring the Season 12 Top 3, I can’t help but wonder: Isn’t Fox long overdue to pursue a partnership with the good folks at Kleenex?

I mean, if you didn’t tear up watching Candice Glover pull up in front of her family’s house in a limousine or Angie Miller marvel at all the “Boston Strong” signs in her hometown or Kree Harrison visit the ramshackle house where she grew up with her late parents, then you’re made of stronger stuff (or disinclined to sip a glass of stronger stuff during Idol) than I am.

Emotional as those carefully edited video packages may have been, however, they’re not really going to factor into which (if any) of these ladies manages to conquer radio and concert halls and the iTunes charts in the coming months and years. Which is why I wished that the show’s producers had allowed Kree, Angie and Candice at least one “Contestant’s Choice” round with which to display their artistic vision a mere eight days out from the Season 12 finale.

Instead, the ladies received their trio of songs — Judges’ Choice, Producers’ Choice and Jimmy Iovine’s Choice — like packages from Zappos with no return packaging and a strongly worded missive: “If the shoe doesn’t fit, you better squeeze your foot into it, grit your teeth and smile your way through it anyhow. Your future earning potential depends on it!”

Like it or not, though, young artists navigating the major-label system don’t typically have total autonomy over which ditties they’ll be recording. And so despite the judges’ mostly bland feedback about growth and purity and genuineness, it was fascinating to see which contestants thrived and which ones stumbled when saddled with less-than-suitable material. With that in mind, let’s cut to the set list — with letter grades and full reviews:

Jimmy’s ChoiceKree Harrison: Pink’s “F***in’ Perfect” | Don’t get me wrong: I love Kree. I love her warm butterscotch sauce tone. I love her compulsion to hug every human being who comes within a five-foot radius. But her rendition of “Perfect” had all the energy of a half-deflated party balloon that gets stuck behind a credenza — right down to that final halfhearted arm raise and subsequent “oh, I give up” drop. Granted, the song was an odd fit: Kree’s country-blues languidness is in a different zip code than Pink’s raucous pop-soul abandon, after all. But I was disappointed that — despite her packed schedule — Kree didn’t rethink the song or the arrangement in any discernable way. Instead of reaching into the shriekbot pit and touching the hands of young girls, I’d have loved to see Kree seated on a stool, accompanied by nothing other than a twangy acoustic guitar, turning “Perfect” into a soul-searching country ballad. (Because “Perfect” really could be country.) That kind of bold risk would’ve announced to the world that Kree had arrived back in Hollywood determined to fight for a Top 2 position, but instead, all we got was Kree’s admission that she’d have never picked “Perfect” for herself and her dubious claim that she’d “had fun.” (Question: Why do contestants break out the “I had fun” card immediately after performances that look about as joyous as slamming one’s head into an open kitchen-cabinet door?) Grade: B-

Candice Glover: U2’s “One” | I’m pretty sure I could count on one hand the number of bum notes Candice has hit during her entire Season 12 run, which is why it was jarring to hear her go sharp three or four times over the course of U2’s booming rock anthem. The bigger problem to me, though, was an arrangement that jumped too quickly to the “love is a temple, love is a higher law” climax — with not enough of buildup to make the payoff satisfying. (Side note: I didn’t set my stopwatch, but the Round 1 performances all seemed particularly rushed — which is annoying considering how much time was devoted to the judges’ yapping, no?) In the overall scheme of the season, I suspect this isn’t “One” for which Candice will ultimately be remembered, but it still wasn’t too shabby. Grade: B+

Angie Miller: Elton John’s “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” | I can’t believe the judges griped — again! — about Angie not performing at the piano. (Side rant: This is not a piano-playing contest! It’s about singing! No one should have to be chained to any instrument! Maybe given her packed week she wanted to focus on the vocals! WHY AM I SO ANGRY BY THE END OF THE IDOL SEASON!?) Perhaps even more nonsensical, though, was the griping from Randy and Keith that Angie could’ve or should’ve “held back even more” than she did. Um, what did they want, exactly? A whispered performance? One done entirely through the art of mime? Maybe one where Angie hid demurely beneath a burlap sack? To me, this was one of Angie’s finest vocals of the season — bell clear, genuinely emotional and landing right in the sweetest spot of her range. Her diction was still sharp, but not blood-drawingly so, and the way she dug deep and delivered lines like, “What’ve I gotta do to be heard?” had me focused only on her — and not even thinking about the fact that the song has really been done one too many times before on the show (including a cover by a Season 10 contender whose name rhymes with Makeup Musk). If the collective opinion of the Internet is right — and Angie’s a lock to win the whole enchilada — then this is one of the performances that will make said victory go down easy (even for a raging Candice fan like me). Grade: A-

Judges’ ChoiceCandice Glover: Emeli Sande’s “Next to Me” | To my ears, this was the most creative arrangement of the night — sparse and slowed-down to start, rollicking and energetic thereafter — with a hand-clapping, band-on-hold interlude that reminded me a little of David Cook’s breakdown on “Laying Me Low” during last week’s results show. Candice cut through every note like a Top Chef contestant julienning veggies, laid down those glory notes with the ease of a bodybuilder lifting a 10 lb. weight, and even added a little gravel to her tone when she hit “you won’t ever find him where the rest go.” This was yet another exhibit in the mounting pile of evidence refuting folks who don’t see Candice as having massive sales potential and/or fail to recognize that she could be the American Adele. (Yes, I’m using “American Adele” once more. Randy says “in it to win it” eight times every episode and he still has a job. For now.) Oh, and speaking of Randy and his irksomeness, what the HELL was with his comment about Candice proving “you can come from absolutely nothing”? I mean, it’s not like her family home was a tin shack with a dirt floor. Sheesh! Nicki, for her part, credited Candice with being “the most confident woman on that stage every single night,” a compliment that had Candi Girl openly weeping and admitting she used to be “the most insecure person ever.” That just can’t be the case anymore, can it? Not after a performance this rockin’. Grade: A-

Angie Miller: Pink’s “Try” | Interestingly, I feel like Angie lived up to the song title on this performance in that she took a gritty rock number that didn’t quite suit her and made a valiant attempt to conquer it — stalking the stage, punching the air, and occasionally throwing her whole body into phrases to add extra emotional oomph. Alas, though, all that physical effort didn’t result in Angie’s strongest vocal: She began to sound winded about halfway through the proceedings and there were moments the band threatened to overpower her. To make matters worse, the fresh-scrubbed quality of Angie’s tone left the overall impression of someone taking Pink’s gritty original and sanding down the raw edges. I’m sure Angie was thrilled to hear, however, that the original was written by a good friend of Randy Jackson’s, and that it was okay for Mariah to compare her to a “homecoming queen” during her hometown visit package because, like Angie, Ms. Cary is “festive” too! (Seriously, Uncle Nigel, we get truncated performances to make room for this kind of gobbledygook?) Grade: B

Kree Harrison: Rascal Flatts’ “Here Comes Goodbye” | Without a doubt, Kree’s hometown visit was one of the show’s most tear-inducing moments since Elliott Yamin and his mother wept along his parade route in Season 5. And when Kree said that visiting her childhood home was like hanging on to a little piece of her parents, and then broke down at the end of her concert rendition of “See You Again,” I had a lip-trembling, eye-watering moment of my own. A lot of those emotions got carried into “Here Comes Goodbye” — both for Kree and for the audience. I enjoyed the scaled-back piano intro and the solemnity of Kree’s delivery, and the way all of the song’s emotions played across her face. Unfortunately, though, the extended glory note at the midway marker veered so far off its intended mark that had this been a game of darts, it would’ve gone kerplunk onto the sawdust-covered floor. That said, I have to admit that on first listen, the errant note hit my ears like Q-tips driven home with sledgehammers, giving the overall impression that what came after it was shaky, too. Upon second (and then third) listen, however, I’ve come to realize I graded Kree too low the first time around. One hinky note — even a lengthy one — does not a song ruin. Hopefully one misjudged performance — even in Top 3 week — does not a recapper’s credibility tarnish. (The deteriorating sentence structure showcased in this paragraph, however, is another story.) Grade: B A-

Producers’ ChoiceAngie Miller: Emeli Sande’s “Maybe” | I was pretty shocked by the judges chirpily positive feedback on this performance, even though it contained passive-aggressive zingers like Nikki’s “you weren’t staring straight into the camera like a zombie!” To me, it seemed like Angie started the performance in a key that was way too high, causing her to go flat at increasingly frequent intervals throughout the performance — and ultimately sound as shrill as a middle-school substitute teacher scolding her students into silence. Mariah hinted at the problem (“I don’t feel that was easy.” “It was quite a high key.”) but ultimately devolved into psychobabble including “you were you and you were present.” Um, yes, she was on stage for the duration of the performance, Mimi. Thanks for that. Grade: C

Kree Harrison: The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” | Brazenness, thy name is Nigel Lythgoe. I mean, how galling was it that “The Producers” chose a song for Kree — whose lost her dad at age 12 and her mom at age 19 — about a woman telling her man, “If you go before I do/ I’m gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two”? And what other end result could we expect than a dazed-looking Kree limping her way through the song with all the enthusiasm of a strict vegan trying to order something off a steakhouse menu. OK, could Ms. Harrison have willed herself to try just a little bit harder, make the performance a little more dynamic? Yeah, sure. Can I legitimately sit here and rail against her because she didn’t? Not a chance in hell. And it’s not like her tone wasn’t lovely as always. Grade: B

Candice Glover: “Somewhere” (from West Side Story) | On paper, I wasn’t sure how Candice would be able to use a big Broadway ballad going to silence those “she’s not commercial!” criticisms that get lobbed her way. But then, as she opened her mouth and began to sing a sublime, achingly patient rendition of the West Side Story chestnut that dialed back on runs and ad-libs — and relied more on the stunning ebb and flow of her instrument, as well as her ability to get inside a song and completely inhabit its lyrics — I realized something: Candice is simply too remarkable to go chasing whatever ridiculous formula has made Ke$ha a star while Haley Reinhart gets dropped by her label. As Harry Connick, Jr. told Candice last week — she can’t build a career stressing over whether the 14-year-olds will get it. And frankly, with good collaborators and a decent promotional budget, I bet there are plenty of teenagers who’d get excited about a Candice Glover record. I dunno, maybe her voice just makes me optimistic, but isn’t that the power of Idol anyway? That young women with the ambition and raw talent of Candice (and Kree) (and Angie) can overthrow the tyrrany of Aut0-Tune and regurgitating lyrics that literally say “Blah! Blah! Blah!” to rule the charts and run the world? Somehow. Someday. Somwhere. Grade: A

And with that, let me turn things over to you. What did you think of Season 12 Top 3 performance night? What did you think of the judges’ comments? Who was your favorite? Who’s going to be in trouble come results night? Take our poll below, then sound off in the comments, and for all my Idol-related news, recaps, interviews and videos, follow me on Twitter @MichaelSlezakTV!

No matter letter grades, this is gonna be an interesting vote. All 3 ladies did amazing, all 3 had a bit of an off moment or two, but no matter what they all each deserve a place in the finale. I think it’s a race for the second spot between Kree and Angie because Candice blew it out of the water with her last song and solid enough performances overall to solidify her place in the finale.

Wow, i’m surprised by these grades…they all did really well. I think to give Angie a “C” is really ridiculous. It doesn’t make any sense to me, because I believe she sang it really well. But, all three did really well, especially given that they couldn’t choose any of their songs.

So basically the producers (who have clearly manipulated this show as hard as they could this season all the way to series low ratings) decided to keep their streak of bad ideas alive by, in the most crucial vote of the season, to not allow the contestants have a single input on the songs they chose. Basically the contestants were the mercy of the producers which saw them give Candace three very anthemic songs and Kree and Angie saddled with more low key or unknown tracks. I know I am at complete peace with knowing they have reaped what they sown and as long they are happy their manipulations have destroyed this franchise then good for them.

I’m with Emily. I didn’t think Angie deserved a C either for her last performance. I would’ve given it a B+. I think Angie and Candice will be in the finale with Angie winning it. (I just think Angie will appeal to the younger audience more than Candice.)

Angie did not perform a C to me either. It was easily better than Kree’s Perfect and I liked it. And Michael, Angie is the one who made Try a rock number. Pink’s version is overproduced pop. Yes Pink has the rough vocals and attitude but her songs are anything but. And the big Broadway number was the absolute cheapest way to end the show. Not Candice’s fault at all. But it was fake garbage, complete manipulation and does Candice a disservice. She would have sounded great on anything, she didn’t need this fake performance.

Michael, what in the world are you thinking by giving Candice an “A”?!!! This was probably once of the best performances vocally ever on the show! That last note, I was bawling, I can’t take how emotional she makes me.

Overall Placing:

1. Candice Glover
2. Kree Harrison
3. Angie Miller

I can’t think, that’s why I can’t explain why I have those grades. I’m too busy freaking out over Caaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnddddddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiiiiccccccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I think if Kree’s last song was her second song then she’d be a shoe in for the finale. That last performance did her no favors. I think it’s sadly Kree going home. I have wanted and thought a Kree/Candice finale would be in store for us, but I think Angie has some momentum even with a rather subpar last performance. I hope I’m wrong and Kree can make it with Candice, but I’m just not sure.

Somewhere is way more than a show tune. It’s synonymous with Barbra Streisand, arguably one of the greatest singers ever. Not a song many people would even attempt and Candice slayed it. U2 smash hit, followed by uptempo current song and finished off with a powerhouse, soul infused beloved epic. Grand slam by Candice. I suggest you heed Keith’s advice and consult a doctor.

While I will agree with you that Streisand is one of America’s most gifted singers, I do not agree that “Somewhere” is synonymous with her. The song is from West Side Story debuting on Broadway in 1957. It has been covered ever since by a gazillion singers, including the amazing Shirley Bassey some 20 years or so before Streisand recorded it in 1985, when she did a lovely rendition but hardly a definitive one.

Beach, they weren’t asking Candice to sing any other version but the Streisand version. Given more time, perhaps she would have dug a little deeper and given us something a bit different. Given that this is a singing competition and they’re vying for a job as a professional singer, Candice delivered the goods. She was “hired” to deliver a big song with a rousing big note because that’s what the producers wanted to close the show.
They didn’t ask Angie or Kree to take on this job. They asked Candice. She was excellent.

^This! Yeah…she sounded old…she was styled old…I mean what was that giant octopus of a necklace?!? And while everyone agrees that girl’s got pipes how does choosing that particular song make her a radio-ready artist? It seems they only chose it because they thought she can vocally inhabit the song and have a “moment” with it.

Ugh. Really? Why is it always about sounding “radio-ready?” Did Jordin Sparks sound radio-ready on “I Who Have Nothing?” Or Kelly Clarkson when she did “Stuff Like That There?” It’s old stuff. Yet they both have some hits to their names. Kelly is still making hits. So wait until they’ve got their actual material out there before calling anyone “radio-ready.”

A singing contest is just that. Show me what you can do. It doesn’t matter how old the song is. She gave one of the best performances ever of that song. She took her time and built up to the ending. I could even hear bits of Streisand in this performance. Candice is the real deal.
And she could have song Maybe and blow it out the box. Just give her great music and let her go.

Honey you do not know music if it hit you in the face. I know everyone do not like these judges. But let me say this Nicky not only is rich but knows music. You have to understand what music does to you and love it in all categories. I love Kree also but she is not great like she first was. They all will get record deals but Candice will be stomper for life, watch and see. Here comes the new Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Ethel Fitzgerald. Will somebody reproduce Ladies Sing the Blues and put Candice to play the part please. And you see a doctor like Keith said!

You dare to criticize them when you call Ella Fitzgerald Ethel? Take several seats.
They’re right, and Candice was given a big old flashy dramatic song from forever and 3 decades ago and gets hailed because of her vocals. Meanwhile it’s safe to say that nobody would ever go out of their way to listen to that song outside of the movie. Her vocals were spectacular but I’d never listen to that song once again after tonight

Candace has stood above all the others from day one. But the fact that some here see her elegant talent as “old” convinces me that she stands a good chance of being eliminated next. Not that that matters. She’ll have a longer career than anyone else this season. She’s that good.

“Somewhere” is an all-time iconic song from an all-time masterpiece and Candace’s version was as terrific as anyone’s including Striesand. Would love to see her face off with Judith Hill from The Voice.

I have loved Candice all season, but I didn’t feel like that was one of her best. I felt it was shouty, and the last note/run didn’t come off right. I still voted for her, though, because she’s had the best performances overall, in my book.

Yes this. She didn’t pick it. It was given to her and she sang the hell out of it. Funny how the same people criticizing Candice for the song make excuses for Kree saying she was given bad songs. The job is to take what they gave you and do it well as is or change it so it sounds great in your voice.

Hmm Candice and Angie clearly separated themselves from Kree (although did manage a great second round).
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Candice was really good on round 3 but it was a bit shouty for me to go all insane about it as everyone else is. It wasn’t an all-time top three moment for me, I had more last season and the season before or even my favorite of hers of this season. It was a moment though and it was really good. She certainly took the round.

yeah I remember in S10 some they were talking about how crazy it was and how one or two of them were so glad that were given songs they knew inside out already (not Haley hah) and that Haley was saying by the time round three hit her head was almost spinning and she was shaking and could barely even remember all the tricky words to that Alanis song they gave her to end off with. I looked into behind the scenes stuff and it was clear that top three week just took buts to a whole new level. I don’t know how they even do it and still stand straight and don’t flub half the lyrics.

And I mean even Angie said yeah the first song was tailor made for her to be on the piano but just how can i learn that entire piano piece and everything and play it great too.
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And their voices have all been really pushed at this point. Even Candice was cracking her voice on some notes that may have been smooth a few weeks ago. It’s rough so many songs non-stop, really all pushed.

Exactly. This had to have been the hardest week yet. In the first place, they’re probably all exhausted by the fast pace and demanding schedule of Idol. Then they have to learn and rehearse three songs while squeezing in the hometown visit. I thought they all sang pretty well, considering.

They only recorded one song each this week because of the home visits. It was a grueling week for them but I am disappointed in not having all the songs. Candice recorded “Next to you”. Kree “Here comes goodbye” and Angie “Try”.

I Thought Candice and Kree were better than Angie tonight. I liked Angie first song but I did not see why the judges thought Try was good. I thought she took the angst out of it and she looked stiff on that stage. I also did not care for her last song. All of the girls voices were strained tonight but I didn’t think Kree last song was all that bad. I would love to see a Candice/Kree. I guess it is going to depend on how long and hard their fans vote for them. Personally at this stage of the game, and I have said it before this season, I think the contestants should choice all their own songs and maybe do slow, mid-tempo, and upbeat. Jimmy and the producers cannot choice a song if their lives depend on it. The judges weren’t too bad. Should be an interesting night.

I think he’s been biased for Candice and against Angie all season so why change tonight.

I’m hoping to see the faces of the judges and Nigel tomorrow night if Candice goes home! Kree and Angie had the more impactful home visits and will win over many voters that Candice’s visit didn’t come close to getting.

For me, there were 2 singers who made me cry – Candice and Kree. Kree had 2 songs that weren’t in her wheelhouse, but she gave me everything I wanted on the Rascal Flatts song. And it wouldn’t it be lovely to have 2 women in the finale who aren’t the “total package”?

American Idol deserves an applause. With all the ugliness of the murder trial on the other stations,tonight A I delivered programming that was so beautiful and soul cleansing. I recorded A I and i was going to later watch . I was going to ascertain Candices’ voting number and continue to vote for Candice while watching the talking heads spew about the murder trial on another station. I am so greatful that I instead watched the home comings and the performances of the top 3 on AI in real time.

Thanks to Powers That Be On American Idol. .Tonight especially did America need to view that example of dignity and lift the spirits of all of us

@Leah- Ok, thanks. It was top 7 then. I know it was the one w/ Orianthi that I enjoyed. And for the life of me I can’t think of who you thought should have gone home. Hmmmmm. Time to Ponder that one while I watch old Miami Vice reruns where they can’t remember their words.

Candice has been the beast in the room all season. I honestly feel that the judging this season has been all about pretending there is a horse race here so that the obvious front runner doesn’t get a suprise boot due to over-pimping/voter apathy. How else to explain that at top 3 week Candice is only getting her 2nd pimp spot when she has given “the performance of the night” on multiple weeks? The producer manipulation in terms of boys vs girls was super overt, and that helped them hide the much more subtle game they’ve played with the girls.

So when the judges loooove Candice and did not stand up for anyone else but Candice, and Candice received the pimp spot. I don’t see Michael and anyone crying voters manipulation anymore. I guess the show is no longer rigged. Anyway, good luck to the top 3. And I hope my favorite make it to the finale.

Slezak, let’s get real: this is more like Producers choices, Producers choices, Producers choices. Mariah (actually keeping it real), called them out on it. Randy said something about how genius the song choices were and how he wondered how the judges picked such amazing songs — Mariah, thinking Randy was the Randy she probably knows and not a producer puppet, said something to the effect of “Miraculous, isn’t it?”

This was the first season where the judges didn’t explain their song choices. I am so sick of Nigel.

bs’d
BTW I am not getting any good feelings from The Voice yet. I cannot remember any of the past season’s contestants w/out looking them up. I like the show. I wish it could meld with Idol…American Voice maybe? :)

Voice has everything just needs to actually PROMOTE their artists and support them after the show ends… the coaches try their best, even feature on their contestants’ albums at times, but there is no proper marketing so whoever is in charge of THAT department on the Voice should get their act together and do their job!

I actually got excited because I saw Beverly from season one of The Voice is playing a concert near my home with Dickey Betts, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band & the Fabulous Thunderbirds. I’m going to check it out since I really enjoyed her.

Again people you have to know music deep in your heart. The Voice sucks to me, most are flat and to tell the truth they cannot sing. If you are truly talent no matter what talent show you are on you will be remember. Example is Jenifer Hudson she truly can sing rings around Fantasia Barrino. The real talent was voted off but the real show people know talent when they see it. Who do you think is on top? Candice is one of the kind, I also thought Kree was coming in second but she is running flat. Angie cannot touch Candice voice and I love her own songs she writes. Angie is going to be a writer watch and see. Kree will be in the country business and I will come power when she came into her own. But my girl Candice is going push these other divas heads a spinning because she has such a voice that reach back in time and bring it to the future. Candice will never be forgotten never!

LOL. The Idol girls are good but the Idol talent this season sucks compared to last season!! And I can tell you have watched maybe 10 minutes of the Voice if you say that they all “suck” and are “flat”… Voice has crazy good talent this season in the likes of Amber Carrington, Sasha Allen, Michelle, Danielle Bradbury Judith, Sarah…. AND the live shows have JUST begun!! So your analysis of The Voice means nothing if you havnt actually watched all the performances of these ladies!

You must be, and I was trying my best to be nice, some kind of stupid to claim the singers on the voice can’t sing. I they go through more strenuous screening to even see if they CAN sing before they get to the Blind Auditions. The show is new and exposure is more guaranteed on American Idol and xfactor than the voice, and hence why it seems people choose those more. I’ve yet to see anyone on the voice that was flat out a bad singer, and you have to be something of a good singer to be on the show. People fall short on the voice because they’re boring and nothing less generally. You can only name a few standout genuinely good singers from each season of American Idol. I the voice at least guarantees you that the people can sing and won’t give you some lazaro the bull.
Goodbye

You could only list raelynn. I’ve watched every season and she’s the worst (disregarding the random rapper in season 2) so far. There may have been boring singers or lackluster performers but not bad singers in the lives

They weren’t rough on her, they were mad at whoever picked that song. Nicki’s words were “whoever picked that song for you should be stoned” I think they were pretty understanding that there wasn’t much she could do with it.

Uncle Nigel really sunk Kree with that stupid “Better Dig Two” song. It would have been fine if they all got novelty uptempo ditties to sing, but Candice gets “Somewhere” which she knocked out of the park! Level the playing field.

@Sue- Yea, & they didn’t do her any favors w/ Perfect either. When she sang that, my thinking was Hollie did better last year w/ it than Kree did this year. Kree did the best she could given the situation. Her 2nd song tugged at my heart.

Yeah Kree had two rough ones. A bit sunk there not her style. I know Jimmy wanted to test her and that is valid, but on top three week that is rough. She didn’t really handle the challenge. Angie way handled her challenge much better (although it was at least a bit more in her wheelhouse to be fair, still a tough challenge though. And they totally chose the wrong Band Perry song for her. She did a decent enough job if you love that sort of country but it wasn’t a top three wow moment or anything and put her in third place for two rounds.

I thought Perfect was a great choice for Kree. She just didn’t seem to be trying very hard when she sang it. She was also dressed like it was a rehearsal rather than one of the most important nights of the competition. You just can’t give this type of performance when your competition is Candice and Angie.

I think he was trying to see if she could be who she isn’t from a record execs point of view. Granted top three is rough place to sprint that test. (then again with how relatively easily country sells I’m not 100% sure the point of that)
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Or maybe he wanted to see if she could stay who she was and manage to do that with a tricky re-work and really see how they could hold up to thing, but again top three week they are so busy it’s tough time to spring that. I supposed you could say that Kree could’ve tried to seem to try harder and not phone it in even if she felt she was being bused and taken it out in otherways?

I’ll be disappointed if Angie is in the final two but it looks like Kree was dealt the wrong cards this week and her heart didn’t seem into it anymore. Angie is such a Disney Princess/Prom Queen. The two female judges have it right. I don’t get why Keith is so into her. She’s overacting everything.

i’m a huge candice fan and wish she would win but agree having candice sing “somewhere” as the final number does smack of some manipulation… the song choices and not letting the contestants choose at least one song for themselves was strange, and questionable. however ~ does anyone but me think the whole taped “hometown visit” thing is RIDICULOUS during this last part of the show-?? these young women have to be exhausted and in need of saving their voices so what? send them on a trip, have them give a concert, then have them fly back to hollywood so they have 2 whole days to prepare 3 — yes 3-!! new songs that were chosen from them by someone else-?? i’m sorry, its total insanity… all of that to say : if they were ablee to sit tight and get comfortable with their songs i’m betting we would have seen a very different and more creative set of performances from all of these super talented girls.

100% In at least the past 3 seasons, I am sure all of them, but I can’t remember for sure, the contestants have had the choice of at least 1 song. I don’t get it. Why change it up? Plus did they always show so much of the video package on the performance show? I recall them only showing us a snippet of their hometown visit and then we saw the rest on the Results show. Wonder why they changed things up this season. That last producer’s pick might have cost Kree a place in the finale.

Yeah they did the same thing with Haley. Normally contestants choice song was last and it made sense they got a choice and that is was last. Suddenly they realize Haley was the one who had imagination and knew what she was doing and had easily the best contestant’s choice song so they switched to first in show. And now here they give one singer a total moment song and that round goes last.

@Hit- we keep living in the past, but even then it shouldn’t have mattered. Haley won all 3 of those rounds. That’s despite the producers giving the other 2 softballs to hit & then when Haley was up to bat calling in Nolan Ryan to throw a fastball. JLo gave Lauren a round before Haley even sang. Ya’d think if Haley can do better than Lauren when she’s flat on her face, that she could probably do better when she’s on her feet for the whole song.

OH boy I had forgotten that bit where JLo said Lauren clearly took the round and Haley freaking Reinhart hadn’t even gotten to sing yet! oy
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At least Steven Tyler gave big F# to the producers and called the whole shebang full on for Haley.
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Just remember that all those saying JLo needs to come back.
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but we better not to get too off topic here again

You’re joking right? Top 3 night were Haley’s worst performances of the entire season!
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Her first song – What Is And What Should Never Be – she fell on stage, literally fell, tripped up the stairs, smacked the mic on the floor and almost face planted.
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Her second song – Rhiannon – the second word out of her mouth was wrong, her voice sounded weird and then she had that ridiculous wind machine.
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Her third song – You Oughta Know – total sabatoge by the “judges” pick but even still, Haley’s performance was a train wreck from start to finish. She looked awkward, the verses were way too low and she messed up an entire line of lyrics.
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I don’t know why she looked so utterly shocked at her elimination, she should have seen that coming a mile away!

still bitter she beat you for third?? hah
wow
anyway top three week is tough, Lauren missed an entire key change, Haley missed some words on her last song
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making a big deal about her trip is absurd though, wow, she trips and that means the entire awesome Led Zep performance was a train wreck??

Right, cuz there’s only one James in the world, and uh, I said YOK was a train wreck and that’s indisputable. Hey, the truth hurts sometimes, doesn’t it. And you know what, no one was talking about Haley until YOU brought her up. I think some of you overly obsessed stans just got caught up in the drama of her season, but the fact that she was one & done and flopped & dropped by Interscope is proof that she really ain’t all that. DEAL.

Its especially not fair that Kree got some mid-tempo no hook song while Candice gets the absolutely beautifully written emotional West Side Story masterpiece. I love Candice to pieces, but manipulation much?

You knew when they announced the song choices that Candice was going to close the show with Somewhere. They wanted a big song from a big voice to get everyone talking. But it only works if Candice nails the song. She did.

I’m not sure manipulation or just plain insensitivity was going on with Kree. Michael is the only person so far that I’ve seen mention this, and thank you, Michael, but why in the world would they give the song, “Better Dig Two” to a young woman who revisited her hometown, revisited the death of her parents, had sung the daylights out of “Here Comes Goodbye”? Seriously, was it mean or what? They expected her to excel at this flippant 5 note song about death. Please. It’s about digging graves, for goodness sake. Was this the only country song they could come up with because there aren’t enough others around? Awful

Yeah Angie had a tricky high sleepy song, she actually livened it up well but it was tough to have a truly whoa moment with that. And even more for Kree. While they gave Candice a total moment song.
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Actually the judges were probably the most fair in what they did (although they did put the biggest risk on that round by miles and miles on Angie, so in that sense maybe not so much at all, but since she pulled it off really well and they gave Angie credit for level of difficulty and risk in their comments it turned out to be the most even set of song choices after all).

I love Candice and think she is clearly the best singer–seriously, if they all had to do the same song, wouldn’t Candice produce the best, most interesting rendition every time?–HOWEVER, I thought it was a bit sickening how much they gushed over her last performance compared with how they all looked and sounded completely unimpressed and bored with Kree’s last effort. Song choice should not have been a judging criterion tonight. The gals didn’t pick the songs! Just deal with how well they sang them! Most of the time, it’s hard to take seriously anything said by any of the judges.

@Bob- Yea, it sort of reminded me of a few years ago when Randy said Kat’s song choice was wrong when Clive Davis is the one who picked her song for her. I guess it’s just easier to get tough to a kid with a dream than some television producer.

I’m really surprised that you graded Kree’s second performance so low. It was a standout of her live audience perforances imo. It was a close second to Somewhere, which I thought was nowhere near Candice’s best. Why is the production giving her broadway? We know her voice is absolutely sensational, now is the time to show her how Candice fits in the pop world. The production is taking this in the wrong direction; if they want sales, then they should focus on the creativity, not vocal acrobatics. The judges panel is quite molded into the popular genre, and nicki minaj is on the panel. makes millions per single, not for vocals at all. hate to make that comparison but still.

In the real world it is going to depend on the song and AR if any of these girls will make it in the top 40 or the genre they choose. This is just a stepping stone and I hate to admit it but in the world of auto tune sometimes the voice does not matter.

I broke my rule to not watch this show again, but I did watch tonight because I have been coming here to read what Michael has to say because he is so entertaining. And at this point in the Idol year the real manipulation starts. Who can forget Haley? Anyway not being able to avoid the ads that showed glimpses of the singers I did Youtube some of the singers to see what the grades were about. If I had religiously watched as I used to,I think I would be voting for Kree although I think Candice has a superb, powerful voice. Angie was good but didn’t love her as much as the judges did. Loved Kree’s 2nd song, but true to the nature of this show Kree’s final song was way beneath her vocal range and I truly believe she could have been just as good on Somewhere as Candice. Kree has a really clear beautiful voice at least what I have heard. As good as Candice is, I thought her Somewhere was very good, but not earthshaking. The producers gave Kree a terrible song to showcase her talent with that Band Perry song, and the judges should have acknowledged that fact more than they did. Typical AI and the reason the ratings are sliding into the dumpster.

It’s always dangerous to make comments if you haven’t watched at least half of the shows or watched a high percentage of the performances on YouTube. The only singer on AI who has consistently delivered “earthshaking” vocals all season is Candice. Did they show favoritism to Candice tonight? Yes, but I think of The Voice last season and it was even worse. Cassadee probably giggled herself to sleep before the finale. It just “happened” that Amanda was no longer around and the show conveniently and consistently hyped Nicholas and Terry, two guys whose combined star power is zero. Candice at least earned this one gesture of favoritism as a truly great singer who just returned from an emotional hometown visit. Cassadee never proved to me that she’s a great singer, although she did improve throughout the season.

This stage of the game nobody should be favorite – it should be a even playing field. That is why I think the contestants should choice their own songs, I even go as far as saying all three of them just make sure they aren’t all ballads. I think it would help establish their wheelhouse and might even be beneficial to help further their careers.

It took me forever to vote online. Something is screwed up there. I hear the voting app is having problems as well. Phone voting seems to be working. I’m voting as much as I can for Candice. The problems are bound to affect the outcome. I don’t know who will benefit and who will lose out, but some people are going to give up after a couple of tries.

I found myself disagreeing with the judges quite a bit tonight, but that’s really nothing new this year.

interesting – i, too, had a lot of problems being able to vote on americanidol.com – i thought it was just me. i had to close all my windows, and then even restarted by browser, and after trying for 15-20 minutes, it finally signed me in. (and yes, i was that determined to be able to give candice those 50 online votes – to go along with the 500+ i managed via phone, but i agree with you – how many people would just give up in frustration after a few unsuccessful tries?) at any rate, i want candice in the finale so much, it’s kind of ridiculous. several of her performances this season have moved me in a way that hasn’t happened since haley and adam (although shout-out to elise’s ‘vienna’ and ‘whole lotta love’ from last year, too).

The Voice had online voting failure this week too. Weird. They actually announced that they cancelled ALL online and text votes for this week on that show and went by phone votes only! They claim that they certified that is made no difference (but if a system is going bonkers how can you really prove that???).

You literally could not cast an online vote for any of The Voice singers on Tuesday. Fast connection, slow connection. It made no difference. Discouraging incompetence on their part. I had no problem casting 50 online votes tonight for my AI favorites. First try, done in less than two minutes.

Hmm on Monday night I could cast web or ipad app although the ipad app would jump someone to 10 after like the 3rd vote (not that I cared, saved me time), but it was weird.
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On tuesady I couldn’t find the voting part on the ipad app, I think they removed it suddenly. But I was able to vote by web online with ease. Guess that time was wasted. Maybe it was regional?
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It seems hard to believe that they can know the results were not altered. Maybe only certain areas ran into troubles with online and the phone voting patterns showed that it migh tnot have mattered (that still assumes online voters from that region vote the same way phone voters do). Anyway I can think of all sorts of things they can look into and maybe they could all but prove it, but I can also think of how that could be impossible.

Oh man, I feel horrible! Kree replied to me on Twitter today saying she can’t wait to meet me at the tour (I don’t have a meet and greet pass) and blew me a kiss! And she’s the one I expect to go home, so I didn’t vote for her! Am I a bad person?
Candice won the night, but Angie is still my favorite (if only because of hometown pride and I like the same things that annoy almost everybody on here about her). But I would buy any of their albums if they won. My so-far-totally-accurate source is calling it for Kree this time, but it could still go any way. We haven’t had a truly surprising elimination all season; could this be the week?

My source is not a “he” or “she” at all. It’s a website where people vote for their favorite Idol contestants in a more fair and balanced manner than the actual show provides. (These votes do not actually count towards the show.) Every week it uses the “Runoff” method to declare who is the “Choice eliminated in the first round.” This method is comparable to the way the show’s actual voting works. I don’t think it’s ever been correct every single week for a full season, but this year it correctly predicted the eliminations of Curtis, Paul, Devin, Burnell, Lazaro, Janelle, and Amber as they happened (though the person who runs the sight holds that Lazaro should have gone out at Top 9). This week they have been calling it for Kree. Angie has been at the top of their polls since the live rounds began, but the same was true for Jessica last year, so we’ll see.
Here’s the link (for this week’s poll, click on “Results” at the top):http://votefair.org/americanidol.html

You expected her to go home so you didn’t vote for her? That’s when you do vote for her, unless you want her to go home. Why would you only buy their albums if they won? If Angie wins I still won’t buy her album and whether Kree wins or not I will be buying hers. I don’t see any elimination being a surprise as someone has to go and they are all three great. I do want Angie to go but it wouldn’t surprise me if she didn’t as she is the most attractive of the three and that does say a lot, unfortunately.

Being the most attractive of all is mixed on these shows. It helps in some ways but also hurts too. Haley and Pia didn’t exactly win. Nor Didi or the Britney-voiced clone and so on and really there isn’t much of a pattern at all to support it whatsoever.

I’m surprised by Slezak’s letter grades. I thought that Kree showed far more emotion than we’re used to on ‘Here Comes Goodbye’ and that Angie finally, FINALLY did a convincing uptempo pop song with ‘Try.’ She should definitely keep working on that side of herself. Candice was terrific as always, but I enjoyed her first performance the most. ‘Somewhere’ was impressive and everything, but there’s only so many ways a big belting song like that can be sung, and she didn’t really find a new one.

EXACTLY. Round two was Kree and Angie not Candice! Angie managed a really tough song really well and looked 100% natural with uptempo and took control of the stage with natural comfort like never before and sounded great and Kree really had a strong vocal plus max emotional connection on that song and she hadn’t hit me like that for a long time. How can he put Candice miles ahead for that round?????

I have to disagree on Angie over Candice on this round. I did not like the way Angie did Try at all.
It might of been uptempo but she took the angst out of the song. She looked awkward up there on stage, I don’t know stiff. Something about that performance was just off for me.

And yeah sure Candice won round three and it was really good but honestly it wasn’t even my favorite of hers of the season and hardly my all time top three favorite. A good and powerful job though but just a bit shouty at times which wasn’t bad but not quite as sublime as in the movie.Then again he gave it an A not an A+.

Yep, the ones you listed were my wow moments of the season. It’s all personal preference though and for me personally, I liked IWHN more than Somewhere. I am truly hoping Candice wins. She deserves it.

I wasn’t all that impressed with Candice’s versions of “One” or “Somewhere”. I think she is the most talented of the contestants, but her voice sounded a bit rough tonight (maybe she has a cold or is just exhausted). I wouldn’t rate either performance any higher than a B, maybe a B+. She’s done much better performances this season.

THANK YOU for that comment about “Try”–it deserved better than a B. One of the best uptempo performances we’ve seen this season. Each of the girls had a song in my top 3 for the night, and “Try” was Angie’s.

ITA. This version was a resounding success. I think it was a breakthrough moment that expanded Angie’s post-Idol career options. It was definitely the most lively and fun song of the night. I’m disappointed in the B grade, but that’s his perogative.

Oh my — that was, I think, the worst final 3 in AI history. Mostly ballads, of course. Screechy high notes, overpraise, and so forth. I think for the first time, I don’t care who wins. Candice was the best I guess, but that’s saying not much.

Angie actually did something uptempo, heaven forbid, and it was the most fun performance of the night, but apparently our recapper didn’t approve, even though he’s complained about the lack of uptempo songs this season.

AWFUL awful awful..What could have been a great final 3 show turned out to be lackluster And not because of Kree Candace & Angie. The prods gave them the shortest amount of time possible to sing in.Why? To preserve voices?? And only a few of the songs were somewhat catchy.In 11 years I don’t remember such an anti-climatic AI top 3 night and with such rich singers. Bummer.

Well, I accept your point mostly, but I don’t think you can completely exonerate the contestants. They can sing (not great range, but still), but they have zero originality and little charisma. People get excited because they invest the time in the reality portion of the show, But as singers — if you knew nothing about them and only heard those performances, I doubt you’d pay much attention. That’s the genius of AI of course, but I think they are abusing that trust this year. Oh we’ll, there’s always next year.

Uncle Nigel totally sunk Kree with that silly third song. Then he gives Candice a beautiful ballad which she knocked out of the park. Kree should have had a level playing field. Hopefully she will hook up with some writers in Nashville next week when she goes home. :-(

So after tonight…. Is there anyway Angie doesn’t make the finale? She didn’t have a “moment”, but yet Kree peaked too soon in the second round. I personally would love to see Kree squeeze past Angie. It would be reminescent of Kris Allen leaving smug Danny Gokey shocked at his 3rd place finish. Cause let’s face it, Angie expects to make it.

So it was Nigel choosing those songs for round 3? The show called it ‘Production’s Choice’, a weirdly vague label that made it sound like some evil faceless entity was choosing songs from behind the curtain.
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So, yeah, probably Nigel.
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I’m not sure I agree that Angie didn’t have a ‘moment.’ I feel like she’s been working toward a performance like ‘Try’ the whole season. She finally showed a little bit of rock edge without looking ridiculous, had exciting stage presence, and still kept it pop enough to appeal to the masses. It was a really good look for her.

I guess I am the only one who did not like Angie “Try” song. Did nothing for me and the stage production was stiff if you ask me – looked like she was stomping around. Oh well different strokes for different folks.

Kree got bussed a bit and I can 100% support if you are disgusted with that but I think Angie deserves to make it at this point regardless so I wouldn’t want to see what you want at all. And it wasn’t guaranteed that Angie wouldn’t train wreck on her Pink song too, although she had a better shot to be sure, she pulled it off well, not only vocally but in looking real.

Apologies if this has been asked and answered already but what does “bussed” mean? I tried an internet search for this as a slang term and got 3 possibles which don’t work here. Is it short for “abused,” in which case, shouldn’t it be “bused” And no, I’m not trying to call people out for spelling, I’m genuinely confused.

“bused” (more common) or “bussed” (slightly less common but also correct)
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It comes from the idiom “[to be] thrown under a bus”. It can mean a few other things in slang too (less commonly), but this is definitely the way it gets used on this site.
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Anyway I’m not getting in that mess all again, just giving the definition.

To be honest I was bored to tears tonight. I feel like the past 2 or 3 seasons of Idol have all been pretty similar. Same commentary from whatever crop if judges are at the table, same terrible sobf choices and same carefully edited hometown video footage. I wanted to turn my tv off when I realized they wouldn’t be able to at least choose one song for themselves. I mean Candice killed it with her last song but really Idol producers, a song from West Side Story?!? Of all the sings to choose from??? Saddling Kree with that last song was terrible too that wasn’t her style and disby suit her voice at all. I have to admit Angie did well tonight much like Candice she always brings her own flavor to a song, sometimes it works for her and sometimes it doesn’t. But tonight she was on point.

No, you’re not the only one who liked it. I liked all of the numbers tonight, though Kree’s “Better Dig Two” was a bit underwhelming (I love her and the song, but not together?) Is this the closest it’s ever been? It’s easy to say Candice is now a lock after that show-closer, but Melinda Doolittle closed the show with a great number on her Top 3 night and we all know how that ended. (Elliot Yamin, Melinda Doolittle, and Haley Reinhart were all early eliminations at this stage, in my opinion.)
Overall I agree with Jimmy: Angie took Round 1, Kree took Round 2, and Candice took it all with Round 3.

Producers’ Choice
Angie Miller: B
Kree Harrison: B
Candice Glover: A+
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No matter what happens tomorrow night, all three singers put it out there and deserve to make it to the finale if they do. Candice won the night, but I thought the songs gave Angie the most room to show different sides of herself. Kree got the worst songs (for her), but I thought she did quite well with them. Although the judges jumped on her (song) in the third round, I enjoyed it. She hasn’t done a lot of uptempo stuff, so I can sort of see where the producers were coming from choosing that.

Maybe this is a random thing to have noticed, but did anyone else catch Mariah’s decision to use the word tangible correctly just moments after Nicki incorrectly used the word palpable when she clearly meant tangible? I think Mariah just might be the queen of the subtle dig…

A dictionary–particularly in the second or third definitions–might indicate that the words are synonyms; however, in contemporary usage “palpable” is almost always used figuratively, that is, to describe something that can’t literally be touched or felt. For example, you might hear that “the tension in the room was palpable.” Tension, excitement, anticipation, fear, relief, joy, etc., when these qualities are obviously present, are often described as “palpable.” On the other hand, “tangible,” which is from the Latin word for “touch,” is generally used in a literal sense. “I want tangible proof of his guilt!” would indicate that you desire physical evidence–something you could put your hands on.

I just went back and watched the video. Nicky says: “. . . the love felt like you could feel it.” Leaving aside the redundancy of that line, since love is not a thing that one can literally touch, “palpable,” to describe its presence, would be a better adjective than “tangible.” Nicky, not Mariah, used the word the way it is most often used.

Anyone notice how Randy took credit for Candice’s song choice and for American idol finding her, when he was supposed to be critiquing Candice? And when AI passed her over two times?
Anyone notice Kree’ s irritation at being given a pop song, and her finally saying something about it – i think that is why she is sometimes “checked out” emotionally, because she wants to sing her genre, not the nonsense songs theyve given her. Kudos to her.

Yeah sometimes she does get that look and you can’t really blame her. I mean I think Candice and Angie do deserve it more than her at this point regardless of anything so in that sense I can’t complain about the manip really but if she goes home it would be nice for her to feel like she went home showing her thing and hopefully her best at her thing, but at least her thing so you do hate to see that. Southern vote is mad strong though so it’s still too hard to call who makes it. While I feel bad for Kree I really want Candice and Angie at this point and think they did enough to take it.

About Kree: she really is an incredibly talented demo singer, but…is she really ready for public performances? She’s had every opportunity to prove that she’s a performer, too. But she’s so obviously not. Whether she likes the songs she’s given or not, she needs to be a performer. That “checked out” look is going to doom her. You have to have major charisma, and while Kree is sweet, friendly, and likeable, she’s not got “star” quality. I feel for her because she’s hugely talented.

I agree. Do you really think a Kree concert would be fun? Angie’s certainly would be. She’d be doing everything possible to entertain you. I’m not sure I’d like a Candice concert either even though I love to hear her sing on tv.

Yeah that was such a weird comment. She appeared to be incredibly loved back home and looked to be very touched and happy to be back. Beautiful live oak trees. Family. Friends. Neighbors all together seeming to know here well. What the heck exactly was she rescued from?? It’s not like she was saved from some violent home or some gangland horror story life.

I don’t get Michael’s B for “Here Comes Goodbye.” I thought that was the performance of the night. “Somewhere” was pretty and pure, but that last note seemed off to me. I’ll have to listen again. I also liked “Try” a lot; it had good sass. All three young women were admirable each in her own way. I’m still hoping to see Kree in the finale with Candice, but Angie’s talent is impressive too.

I agree. I just watched the show over and did not think Candice’s Somewhere was as good as I thought. She was pretty shouty and her last note was off. I think the production had something to do with the hype. All those violin playing and all. I think Angie also could have killed that song. It was more in her wheelhouse and Angie’s song was more in Candice’s wheelhouse.

So I listened to Candice again on Somewhere. Mind you I heard this first through my car speakers, then on my stereo at home. Then I listened to a live performance of Barbara singing the song; then Shirley Bassey. This wasn’t a Bassey version, it was a Streisand version. Regardless of the singer & regardless of the era, that lsst note is a huge note that is held forever. I didn’t care for Bassey’s version – too old-fashioned. In the Streisand version, it’s done exactly the way Candice delivered it. It’s loud. And long. And even Babs was a bit shouty. When you listen to her studio version, it’s quite different.
This was a helluva difficult song to sing. She held her own with Streisand. There isn’t another singer on the show who could have pulled that off.

Also I found it so phony when Nikki teared up after Candice performed and said how confident she is on stage and how beautiful she is. For weeks it was all about how beautiful Amber is and her legs and now all of a sudden you realize Candice is beautiful and confident? OK!

Could not agree more…why shouldn’t candice have confidence just because of who he is.?? Nicki made it seem like she should have a complex or something because she isn’t shaped like amber or Angie.. Last time I checked idol was about talent and appeal..

Candice is physically beautiful. Maybe because Nikki is not from the United States, she keeps harping on Candice’s weight. Incredibly talented female singers who just happen to be curvy have been cherished for a long time in the country

Sound little racist here to me don’t you think? Amber was going strong but lost it. Candice has been applauded the most than any of them girls. It’s about talent not color. Nicky has feeling that you couldn’t imagine and I have never been a fame of her! I respect her because she understand music and speaks her mind. Honesty is the best policy but it does not get the vote because of so many haters!!!!

ok you’ve GOT to stop with these “nicki understands music” comments. she just doesn’t. she understands PERFORMANCES or AUTO-TUNE or SPEAKING IN RHYTHM THAT SOME CALL RAP but she doesn’t understand MUSIC.

Yeah hard to say. Maybe she realized she came off wrong before or had been too focused on certain market things or maybe she realizes that they are likely getting all new judges and she can say whatever the heck she wants and she broke out (she surely wouldve been free now anyway since production seemed very pro Candice, the early stuff may have even been a front to help rile up her fans to insure no shock elim early? but Nicki maybe realized she felt bad saying stuff then even service of that?). Who knows.

It was SO hypocritical. First off, she brought up Candice’s weight again. Then she went on a crocodile teared filled rant about how she was so proud of Candice for being a big girl that can sing. Yet last week she was in the press bullying a reporter and calling Mariah bitter and insecure. It was simply PR for her image. She’s a bad actress.

I’m just going to play devil’s advocate for a second. It’s easy to think that we as an audience have this all figured out, but you might be surprised by pulling up Candice’s audition for this season. The singing is not the story in that audition. Listen to what Nicki said to Candice and it is almost exactly what she said Wednesday night. Nicki effusively praised Candice at the end of her audition and talked about how inspirational she would be to everyone who watches this show. On a sidebar, people (including Michael) have been wondering about the “church girl” references. Randy’s penchant for calling Candice a “church girl” is explained (if not justified) by his conversation with Candice at the time of her audition. This is all on YouTube for anyone who wants to check it out.

I think Nikki’s aware of all the anger her comment about Candice losing weight and suddenly looking pretty generated. This was her attempt to make up for it. Hopefully she really did feel bad about it.

I think all the girls did great. Candice is incredible but Angie is still my favorite. Still routing for Angie/Candice finale. To tell the truth these girls are all so good I would not be upset no matter who wins.

Hmm I had a really different take.
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Round 1: Angie (and I’m not even crazy about the song itself) >> Candice >>>>>>>>> Kree (tough, tough choice for her, she didn’t pull off the challenge at all, but it was maybe a bit much a challenge to spring for top 3 week, I see why he’d want to test that out, but man a bit of a rough thing to toss this week)
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Anyway so we agree for round 1 in order at least. I actually agreed with Jimmy’s take.
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Round 2 (wow now here I had the 100% opposite take, all three did quite well, but it was Kree and Angie that rose up higher. I seriously don’t get how you put Candice way ahead in this round. I could believe you doing that to Angie ;) but to Kree to?!??! THIS was the Kree I’ve long been missing!!): Angie& Kree > Candice (who also did quite well too)
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Anyway so we saw round 2 100% in opposite fashion. I actually agreed with Jimmy’s take once again.
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Round 3 (wow, we seriously disagree once again): Candice (I still much prefer the movie version, Candice did do a really good job though, but how can Candice fans accuse Angie of being shouty when this got way shouty? It was really good and powerful but a bit shouty for the song it was for me to be totally all ultra insane level over it as many are) almost>> Angie (pretty good, not the single best song choice, a tricky choice, but she pulled it off pretty well) >> Kree (I made a mistake the other day and was thinking this was the other Band Perry song, this one didn’t get much play at all up in NYC, the one that did though I think would’ve worked a lot better for her, it was fun and not bad but nothing spectacular)
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Gotta give it Angie and Candice for the finale no doubt. But it was awesome to see the real Kree and in top form for the second round!

So if I’m reading this right (read the round 3 part a few times, prolly confusing myself more here) you’ve got it-
Round 1- Angie, Candice, Kree
Round 2- Angie/Kree in a tie, Candice (though all 3 did well)
Round 3-Candice, Angie, Kree
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If so, we’re on the same page again except I thought Kree took round 2 w/ Angie in 2nd.

Giving the girl who has lost both parents a song called “Better Dig Two”?? I surely am not the only one who noticed that disgusting and heartless choice. NO WAY no one on production or even Kree herself didn’t notice that. SAD

That song choice by whoever The Producers are was a disgrace. Oh the horror after crying while watching her visit her hometown; and all of those sweet friends and fans told her how proud her parents would be of her. BAD IDOL! BAD!

Am I the only one who pays a painful amount of attention to song titles and lyrics?
“Here Comes Goodbye” and “Maybe” bothered me so much. They both sounded like exiting performances and it just irked me.

I won’t worry about round 1 or 2 cause I felt it was anyone’s game those 2..

Round 3 was actually called “Round Candice”
What planet do the produces live on to give Kree that song in round 3?
The girl has established that she’d prefer not to be expected to dance for her performances and yet she gets this country rock song…girlfriend has been singing dreamy bluesy sing-song kumbayah yet exhilarating songs since the lives and they give her that?
Sabotage. Absolute sabotage. Kree didn’t even look like she wanted to perform that song. She said “I had Fun” you know what that means, right? It means “This song is not for me, I did not want this song, I would not choose this song with a ten foot pole, the producers gave me this, they put a gun up to my head and said I either chose the song or death, save me voters save me!”
“Maybe” made me want to roundhouse kick my drywall to smithereens. That song is not for Angie either. I went back and listened to the actual song (never had heard it prior to) and the original arrangement was infinitely better than Angies. That song was not made to be a pop-rock type song.

Why are the producers so viciously against giving people songs they can sit well with?
We got Pink, Emili Sande, Rascal Flats, etc. But they give Kree and Angie songs that don’t fit them whatsoever, hell. I think they should’ve switched. Then they give Candice some out the way big ol’ dramatic Disney Princess song that guarantees anyone advancement to the next week so long as they are notorious for super pipes….
I just think the producers sit around smoking crack all day.

I think she did the best she could do with it in terms of how comfortable she is with that kind of music.
I felt it was the epitome of distasteful in the end. Nicki is right, whoever gave her that song needs to be stoned.
Not stoned, given several paper cuts then forced to repeatedly bath in lemon juice

Well in order to make you happy Kaba, lets give Angie, Kree, and Candice the same song called Somewhere. Which one of these singers would come out on top? I already know the answer to this. I would be Candice for sure… She is the bigger voice!

You see, I the biggness of the song was generic in every sense. Paying attention you can make note that songs like those can be transposed into different kinds of hits.
Throw a huge piano presence and suddenly you’ve got a very heavy and climactic song while at the same time if you quiet it down and turn it into something thoroughly intimate you get a whole new level of big plus musicality.
That song was chosen because producers know that the end of the season equates to high emotions all around and therefore big songs with big long notes hit home first and foremost. Hence why all the victory songs are normally always big and mushy and full of excessive grandeur.
They feigned a moment through manipulation of the timing

It’s obvious they want Candace in the final, else why would they give weak songs for the last of the night to both Kree and Angie, yet gave Candace a song that was bound to give her a ‘moment’. I’m so frustrated by the orchestrations of the producers to have things play out according to their plans. Yes, I’m happy for Candace that she was given a wonderful song and sang the hell out of it, but it was just terrible what they gave to the others. I haven’t seen song choices this bad (and machinations so obvious) since Syesha’s Happy Feet song from season 7.

Get over yourself Deb… Your jealousy shows… It is what it is. Candice has the bigger voice.. And Angie and Kree had great songs.. If they gave Candice, Angie and Kree the song Somewhere, Candice will still come out on top… She has rhythm and soul….

Jealousy…I do not think this means what you think it means lol. Jealousy has to to with a sense of covetousness, which is not the case. I am merely pointing out that the song choices given to two of the contestants were terrible. You can disagree, but to negate my opinion by referring to it as “jealous” is rather immature.

I generally feel that way also, but her second vocal was quite good. I’m not a huge country person, but Janelle and Skylar are more to my taste in that genre. Kree is a little too “languid” in her delivery, but I appreciate her maturity and focus.

just want to point out that there is no mention of producer manipulation in michael’s recap, even though the producers were practically pounding our heads with a hammer to vote for candice. me thinks if they had done that for angie or even kree there would be some major fuming going on.

you are right! on a somewhat unrelated sidenote: i cannot figure out why exactly people have so much disdain towards angie. all i keep hearing is “she’s so fake bla bla bla.” yeah, but can she sing? of course. and cut her some slack, she is a teenager on a reality show who is trying to win millions of people over…i would venture to say that a lot of us would act very similar to her.

THIS. It’s so funny to me how fired up Slezak gets about his “favorite” every year. He calls out the producers/judges/whoever for having an “agenda” (I.e. their “favorite”) and he does absolutely the SAME thing!

Let’s be real here… Candace is a great singer. She was fantastic a few times this season. But tonight, was all AGENDA. Her first performance was off-pitch several times, too many runs… just bad. The judges praised her for it! I mean, Randy and Keith literally said they liked hearing her go sharp while singing. What?! Michael made no mention of that in his recap – but I can tell you what, if it was Angie who was given that praise for going sharp, we’d be hearing a different story.

I actually like Angie on Try. She sounded good and did a good job working the stage. She surprised me. Her last song was just awful though. Kree did the Rascal Flatts song beautifully. Her 1st and last songs were pretty mediocre performance wise though I liked the vocals well enough. She just doesn’t do well when she has to move around and deliver energy. Candice took the night. I wasn’t crazy about the song selections for her but in her usual way, she delivered some great performances. I think they’re all showing some strain in their voices. Whoever gets through tomorrow, and I have no doubt it’s going to be close, they better be able to get some vocal rest before the finale. It’s showing in all of their upper registers when they try to power through. Jimmy’s and the producer’s picks were completely off the mark even though I think Candice seriously worked Somewhere. The judges did best with the song selection. Especially for Angie & Kree. Candice did really well on her Emeli Sande song. I loved her rendition of it. i just wish they’d have given her something that offered more of a “moment”.

I have to confess that I feel a little responsible for last night’s show. For weeks on this board I have been demanding that Candice sing “One”, Kree sing “Better Dig Two,” and someone sing “Next to Me.” (Alright, I intended that one for Amber. Sorry.) On further review, there was a script–this time it was “Everybody gets one round.” As for the performances, I have to say that I agree with Michael’s points on “One.” She hit a few bum notes, but the real crime was in the way the arrangement rushed to the big notes instead of building toward a climax. Ninety seconds is not enough time to do justice to that song. I also disagree with the comments on Angie’s “Try.” This was the Angie I have been wanting to see for weeks–rocking Angie with a band behind her. My preferred song would have been “Zombie,” but maybe she’ll get to that one next week. I thought she slayed “Try.” She looked and sounded like a rock star. If she made a record like that, I would buy it. Finally, I can see that I am clearly in the minority here, but I loved Kree’s version of “Better Dig Two.” All season I have wanted to see her step up the volume and intensity with an uptempo song, and she did it. For the first time all season she turned the dial past eight and reached all the way to ten. I was proud of her.
I really can’t say that any of these three deserve to go home. I know the format demands that either Candice or Kree gets sent packing, and that will be a shame. I wish, just once, they could break format and do a final three finale instead of final two. Other shows change things up when the talent is this close. Be bold, producers. Being locked into your old ways has given us the worst season on record. This is your chance to redeem the entire series. Bring back all three for the finale.

I beg your pardon? After sitting through weeks of Motown, Bacharach/David, Standards, and a bunch of other ancient stuff? This IS broadening the songbook! These two ladies are hot and popular right now. I hear “Next to Me” and “Try” all the time on the radio.

American Idol’s system will never change. It’s corrupt. And the show is starting to crash to a halt. Like every government that falls, the show is getting to corrupt and not the old show everyone fell on love with. But not the topic at hand. Angie didn’t deserve a C, that last song wasnt on that Lazaroish level. Common. Candice was good, in the finale next week. Whatever. But I really hope Angie makes it as well, even though Kree touched my heart in her package AND I’m a Texan. Still like Angie the best :/

Ugh what is with their JLo obsession. The ratings plummet started at the end of her first season (although Randy and Nigel were at least a big a part of it and perhaps it was simply production’s fault only (but then again if you agree to be a puppet you have some complicity no?).
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And then she will insist and performing her new single every three weeks and the budget will all be dumped into her lap. NO. That is not how you fix it!

You thought that Angie’s performance of Try was an A+ while Candice’s performance of Somewhere was an A-? I don’t need to hear anymore, you’re no longer credible at anything involving music and/or hearing.

I think Kree totally got Gia Farrell’d (LOL I remember the singer of that Happy Feet song) with her Band Perry song. Angie’s brother is very hipstery tbh. I wish I could apply for an American citizenship right this moment so I could vote hard for Candiceee Flippin’ Gloverrr!!! #SAVETHEGLOVER

Ahhhhh though. Damn. I’m not even old but these contestants man…. what are they doing to me! First the one the other night on The Voice has never heard of Phil Collins? Not just the song of his that he had to sing never mind how beyond well known the particular song is (was??), but he had zero clue who Phil Collins even was?! One of only two (arguably three) to ever get 100 million sales solo and part of a band. And now Candice has never hear of U2’s One? Like one of the greatest bands of all time’s major songs and she never heard of it?? U2’s One??!??? Never heard of it? Not cool what they are doing making relatively young people feel old! Not cool. haha

This! Candice is around my age (I’m younger than her), and I’ve known One since I was 9. These contestants have so much potentials, but in order to improve their strength, they have to be more open with their musical horizon. I feel like inhabiting Candice’s body atm.

True, but there is an overwhelming amount of music out there these days with iTunes and YouTube and so many other sources. I don’t blame people if they feel they can’t keep up, even if singing is their vocation.

I honestly have no clue who’s going home tomorrow between Kree and Angie.
Kree has definitely been underperforming these past few weeks while Angie has been soaring. But the country vote has always had a long history of generally being the highest power in the voting world because country lovers aren’t primarily worried about singing imo. They enjoy country music for the sole fact that it feels country and speaks to them and they’ll vote when they see a country singer they can count on or someone who touches those boundaries of country. And she’s from Texas…Texas votes big or goes home

Then there’s Angie who, if we judged her on her first few weeks, would be going home without a doubt. But she’s come in there as a front runner finally. She has an interesting voting crowd and (I really REALLY hate to be the one to say this because it is the most insensitive thing ever really…but it’s kind of the elephant in the room) one could almost say she gained a LOT of momentum off of the Boston Tragedy (I really hope nobody thinks I intended to be malicious or rude with this statement). That kind of stuff can easily jet boost Angie ahead of Kree and Candice on her best of days

In the freak case that Candice does go home I do not intend to leave my home for 4 days. I live near Maryland and they’re rooting for Candice…and I fear Baltimore and PG county should they riot.

I know Angie has been performing better than Kree…but I really want to see a Candice Kree finale for some reason. I started this season wanting Angie to win with every fiber of my being and that Candice was nothing special and Kree was overhyped…now I love Candice and Kree and would prefer Angie gone (this is a result of “shop around”)…

Part of me thinks that if Kree makes it to the finale she’ll thoroughly let loose and we’ll see her whip all the stops out against Candice and show her how much of a titan she can be…but idk

Wow Shop Around was ages ago! Even Try and Halo didn’t remove that? And why not the Kree Pink which was at least as much Shop Around then?
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Yeah though it is true that South votes like mad and even though people say the Perry song hurt Kree, it was another country song and that can be all it takes. Nobody from the Northeast had even made top three before AFAIK.
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Anyway at this point I think Candice and Angie clearly deserve it. Kree is good though and she showed it in song #2.

I thought Try was nothing special but showed how comfortable she is. Wasn’t at home to hear perfect but unless Kree sped up against the beat and was out of tune a lot “9 years of being in band has tailored me to hate things that go off tempo and off key” I’ll probably like it more. And oh lord I hated Halo more than Michael did.

I think they all deserve it tbh. Yes Kree has under achieved these past few weeks but if I look at the entire season, Angie and Kree are totally even just that Kree lost momentum once jennel went home and they started to pay attention to the things she doesn’t do so well.

2 of the songs they chose for Kree were very bad choices, for several reasons. I wonder if they might have did that on purpose ? …………………..

Would the producers have a reason in mind, or just that out-of-touch with her strengths in song styes? Even Nicki Minaj had to speak-up this time and say whoever picked (one of the songs) should be stoned.

I dont see how you could like Kree’s Pink better than Angie’s. Kree started well for a few notes and then just looked defeated and sorta walked around a little and read off the fast parts and that was it. If you go back and watch and come back and say Kree’s Pink was better I will be not able to respond since I won’t even know how or where to begin.

This. Kree’s overall body of work is stronger than Angie’s. Angie’s whole “inspirational Christian” vibe is also off-putting, as are the Lea Michele-on-steroids dramatics while performing. It’s not endearing at all.